Electric iron



May 19, 1931. w. E BELCHER 1,806,383

ELECTRIC IRON Filed Aug. 10, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR lMay 19,`1931. w E. BELCHER 1,806,383

ELECTRIC IRON Filed Aug. 1o, 1929 'z'sheetsneez 2 Patented May 19,`41931 l l UNITED STATES PATENT oEEicE WALTER E. BELCHER, OF WINNIPEG,MANITOBA, CANADA ELIlCClliIC IRON Application led August 10, 1929.Serial No. 384,901.

The invention relates to improvements in With the above more importantand other electric irons and an object of the invention is minor objectsin view which will become more to provide a latch or trigger associatedwith apparent as the description proceeds, the inthe handle of the ironandwhich can be convention consists essentially in the arrange- 5veniently gripped by the hand gripping the ment and construction ofparts .hereinafter 55 handle and when gripped will operate moreparticularly described, reference being 'through a suitable switchprovided and emhad to the accompanying drawings, in bodied as part ofthe iron equipment to mainwhich tain the circuit containing the ironheating Fig. l is a view of the iron, the base being l 10 clement closedand which is arranged further shown for the greater part in sideelevation 60 that upon the linger pressure being released and the upperpart thereof in vertical longifrom the latch during the ironingoperation, tudinal section. .c the latch will move under spring pressureFig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view cenand the `movement sooccasioned will actuate trally through the iron7 certain parts being 15the switch to stop the flow of current to the Shown in side elevationand the iron appear- 65 heating element of the iron. i ing in rested ornot in used position.

A further object of the invention is to pro- Fig. 3 is a perspectiveview showing the vide an iron embodying aswitch controlling thermalstrip used. the circuit containing the iron heating ele- Fig. 4 is aplan view showing the interior 0 ment and wherein the circuit isautomatically Construction of the plug used. i broken throughthe switchupon the heat of Fig 5 iS an enlarged detailed Veltieal Secthe heatingiron reaching a predetermined `ODll VeW thIOllgll e POIOII 0f the Plugand temperature. showing the type of toggle switch used.

A further object of the invention is to pro- Fig. 6 is an enlargeddetailed vertical sec- 2" vide an iron which can be heated to severaltiOnal View at 6-6 Figure 4- 75 temperatures but wherein the electriccircuit Fig- 7 iS a perspective View Showing the leading to the elementis automatically broken SllppOrt fOr the Switchn when each selectedtemperature is reached F 10S. 8 and 9 are peISpeCtlVe Views 0f the andthe iron will not continue to heat further members forming the toggleswitch.

0 unless the operator actuates a latch provided Fig. 10 is an enlargeddetailed vertical sec- 80 for the purpose. tional View at 1 0-10 Figure3.

A further object of the invention is to pro- In the drawings likecharacters of refervide a heating iron wherein the normal gripenceindicate corresponding parts in the sevping movement of the fingers ofthe hand in erelgll1e$ 35 gripping the iron handleis used to actuate aThe body of the iron comprises the base 0ry 85 spring pressed latch andsuch movement of S01@ 1, an OVellyng eleetlieal heating elethe latchoperates a switch to close the circuit ment Indicated generally by thereference leading t0 the heating element of the iron and iiuiiieral 2and a metal block 3 thereabove, the wherein also, gravity actuatedlocking means blOCk belng filSteIleQ t0 the base by Sultably is providedfor automatically locking the located screws 4 which also serve to holdthe 90 latch with the switch closed and upon the iron element in place.A casing 5 encloses the being brought to an up ended position with blockand bears on the upper face of the sole the butt thereof down and toassociate also being fastened by screws 6 screwing into the with theiron a thermostat operated by the bleek 3. f p heat of the iron andadapted to release the The rear end of the iron is provided with 05locking means upon the heat of the iron reachthe customary pair ofcontacts,- one of which ing a predetermined temperature, such reisindicated in dotted outline at 7, these consulting in the breaking-ofthe electric circuit tacts being carried by the casing 5 andsuitthroughv the switch under the pressure of the ably insulatedtherefrom and being connected o latch spring. electrically within thecasing as indicated 100 vreceiving socket 9 is at 8 with the oppositeends of the heating element. To the 'rear end of the casing a plug alsoattached by bolts 10, the socket takino a slightly inclined upstandingposition and containing the contacts 7. The socket is extended toprovide two rests or legs 1l and 12 which are adapted when the iron isturned to the position shown in Figure 2 to support the iron in its notin use or resting position.

All'the above parts of the'iron are of well known and ordinaryconstruction and accordingly I have'not considered it necessary toherein give a more detailed description of the same.

The iron handle 13 is provided at the under side with a longitudinallyextending channel or groove 14 and it is supported in its positionabovel the body of the iron by a bar 15 fastened to the casing by thescrews 6 and having the ends thereof up turned as shown and secured byscrews 16 to the ends of the handle. The up turned rear end of the bar15 is provided with a vertical slot 17 and the up turned front end ofthe bar is provided withaslot 18. A pivot pin 19 crosses the rear end ofthe channel 14 being carried by the handle and the pin supportspivotally a finger latch or trigger 20 which has the rear end `enaprovided with a substantially V-shaped notch 21 and the forward endprovided at the lower corner with a right angled notch-22, it beingobserved that the rear end of the latch protrudes freely through theslot 17 and that forward end thereof terminates within the up turnedforward end of the bar 15.

A spring 23 is interposed between the latch and the handle which springoperates to continuously press the forward end of the latch downwardly.The socket 9 receives a contact plug indicated generally by thereference numeral 24.-, the plug having the lower end thereof fastenedpermanently within the socket by a bolt 25 provided and having feedwires 26 and 27 leading from the upper end and communicating with asuitable source of electric current, as is usual. The plug containssimilarv electrical spring contacts 28 and29 of well known type adapted,in the inserted position of the plug as shown, to make electricalconnection with the contacts7 hereinbefore mentioned and the plugembodies in its construction a toggle switch indicated generally by thereference numeral g toggle switch is in that it embodies pivoted trip 30which controls the passage of current to the heating element of theiron.

`The details/of the switch will be shortly described but I might atthistime mention as part of` its structure a bar 31 projecting from theplug and entering the notch 21 of rangement being such that when thelatch 20 is in the position shown in Figure 2, the the on position andcurl rent is flowing to the heating element of the the block in a suchtime the front the irom the ariron and such that when the latch ispermitted to swing to the position shown in Figure 1, the trip bar 31 isactuated by the latch to turn the toggle switch so that it is in an odposition and there is no current flowing to the heating element of theiron. Accordingly, the position of the latch controls the on or offcondition ofvthe iron.

A lever 32 is pivotally supported by a in 33 from the bar 15 and thislever is curve to approximate theicurvature of the forward end of thebar and has the upper: end thereof terminatingl in a weight or ball 34and provided also with a horizontally disposed locking pin 35 and thelower end extending through a longitudinally extending slot 36 providedin the lcasing 5 and terminating in a plurality of down turned spacedfingers 37, 38'and 39 which. overlie the upper face of the block3. Athermostat 40 in the form of a curved semicircular shapedv strip issecured by a screw 41 to the block 3, the thermostat lying in thehorizontal plane and having the free end thereof crossing locationconsiderably lin advance of the pin and positioned such that it will becaught by one or other of the fingers in a manner later described. Thestrip is formed from two pieces of metal having different co-eficientsof expansion and contraction and it is closely associated with the blockso that it will expand and contract under the varying temperature of theblock, the free end of the thermostat drawing closer to the pin 41 asthe temperature increases and passing further away from the pin as thetemperature diminishes.

The pin 35 passes and any suitable means can be employed for preventingthe withdrawal of the pin from the slot under the gravitationalinfluence of the weight 34. Such is herein shown as a tit 35 on theinner end of the pin ada ted to en-gage with the lower end of lthe s ot18.

Obviously the same object could be accomfreely through the slot 18 vlished by dispensing`with the tit and limiting the down swinging of theupper end of the lever 32 by Contact of the lower end thereof with theunder side of the bar 15.

When the heating element 4of the iron is not heated, the controllingtoggle switch is in the position shown in Figure 1 and at end of thelatch is down and the locking leven` is free, that is to say, it is heldin the out position or in a direction away from the handle by thegravitational action of the ball and at such time, the fingers are allabove the plane containing the upper edge of thethermostat..

. When one desires the iron to become heated, he grasps the handle inthe usual way and naturally grips-the latch and at the same time, he canswing the iron to the position shown in Figure 2 where it is resting onthe legs. The gripping of the handlev and the 50 toggle switch and turnsofl'l the current suppractical ironing purposes.' l

55 'automatically to actuate the switch and at a feed wires 26 and 27'and the bar 43 makes di- 1r 60 do so without fear of burning orscorching lplate 46 is fastened by a screw 46 to the plug latch causesthe forward end of the latclito turn on the current and the current willonly move towards the handle into the position remain on as long as thelatch is gripped so shown in Figure 2 and in such position it bethattheoperator has complete control of the comes automatically locked by thepin 35 heating ofthe iron during the ironing operwhich is at such timeforced in by the graviation. I might here remark that while iron- 70tational action of the weigth which at such lng is being done,the balloperates to hold time is acting to swing the upper end of the the pin 35clear of the adjoining end of the lever towards the handle. The movementof latch and the fingers clear of the thermostat.` the latch to theposition shown in Figure 2 By providing several fingers, Lam able to ,ais sucientto cause the closing of the toggle have Several heat rangeswhen the lron 1S 7.1 switch and the consequent flow of current toheating inthe position shown in Figure 2 and the heating element.Accordingly the iron this is explained in the following way. Aswillcommence to heat the instant it is sumi'ng that the latch has beenreleased by brought to the up ended position as shown the engagementofthe thermostat with the f 1b. in Figure 2 and simultaneously the latchis first finger 37 in the manner already exo automatically locked by thepin so that one yplained, one can, if he desires, pull the latch canthen release his hand grip and leave the again towards the handle atwhich time, it iron to heat. K l will be automatically locked by the pin35 The movement occurring in the lever unand the free end of thethermostat will then der the influence of the weight when the iron bebetween the first and second fingers 37 and 25 is brought to the up endeposition is suf- 38. The latchwill remain locked with the cient also toswing the fingers towards the current on until the thermostat, due tothe block 3 and into a position normally to the Vincreasing temperatureof the iron, engages inner side of but clear of the outer end of the andshifts the second finger an amount to the outer end ofthe thermostat isat this time This can be gauged to occur when the temfrom the frontlinger 37 is utilized as a timperature of the iron has reached say 450F. ing element determining when the latch will if this temperature isiiotsufficient for the will be unlocked and the toggle switch thrownparticular ironing purpose of the operator,

to open position. 4 he can again move the latch towards the 95 O bviouslas the iron heats in the osition handle where it becomes lockedautomaticalshown in igure 2, thev free end of the therly, the current isturned on and the free end mostat will radually move towards the anofthe thermostat is then between the fingers chored end t ereof and Idesire it to contact 38 and 39. When the thermostat has further with thefinger 37 approximately about the contracted, due to increasedtemperature, to M) time that the iron is heated a sufficient teincontactwith the finger 39 and move it suffiperature for ordinary ironingpurposes which ciently far to withdraw the pin 35,- the latch will beapproximately around 350 F. After will be again released and the currentturned contacting with the first finger 37, the further off at whichtime the temperature may be ap- 40 in movement of the free and of thethermoproximately 600 F. 135 stat due to the gradually increasingtemper- While I have described a, plurality of atllle 0f the I'OII WillSWlIlg the IOWSI' en'd fingers, of course it will be understood that ofthe lever away from the block and coincithe iron might, be made withonly one nger, dent with the time that the first finger is esas suchmight be found all that is necessary t5 CaPIlg OVGI the Upper edge 0fthe` theIIIlO- for practical purposes, the finger being actu- L stat,thepin 35 is withdrawing from the ated by the thermostat to unlock thelatch notch 22 and releaslng the latch to swing and throw the switch tooff position at the. down under the action of thespring 23. The time thetemperature of the iron has reached instant tha latch is released, itlactuatcs the a predetermined temperature sufficient for all ply to theheating element. Accordingly if The structural details of the toggleswitch unattended, the element is in the above maiiwithin the plug arenow described. Interiorner protected by the thermostat against bely theplug contains two bars 43 and 44 which ing overheated which latteroperatesentirely are connected to the entering eids of the time when apredetermined or selected temrect electrical connection ,with thecontact perature is reached.l 29 while, that 44 is connectedelectrically by If one ,desires to iron after the iron has a screw 45 toan angle plate 45. Directly become heated and the latch released he canopposite the angle plate '45,a further angle ,mi the clothes as thecurrent will remain ofi' unand between the free ends of the angleplates, til' the latch is raised. Should one desire at I locate a pairof spaced substantially V- any time while ironing to heat the iron, allshaped Spanner bars 47 and 48the endsof he has to do is to grip .thelatch to cause it to which are"carried byv similar plates 49 and riseand this will manipulate the switch and 50 fastened to the-plug. 1:0

thermostat or strip 40. The distance which withdraw the pin 35 andrelease the latch. 90

lOperates in Figure 1 to b the heating Aelement o the latch is up, thetoggle switch lieatin g element.

. While I have en scription of the p "employed,.l wish any type ofswitch whi Ithe swinging break the circuit'co serve my. purpose.

What I claim as my 1 1. The combination with heated' ilat iron, of anorma controlling switch thereor, latch pivotally carried by t andhaving operati switch and arrange latch towards the h and in the releaseof th switch under gravity operate against moveme the switch and uponinto a-resting position controlled by the risin iron for releasing theuponl a preselected reached.-

The Spanner turned tongues outer ends passed throug provided in theangle pl these tongues f yoke 53 w having a f a cross strip 3l provid ofthev trip bar outwardly through vided in the plug an of fitted withextendi receiving openings 56 pr ner bars 47 and 48. around the spindleand the forks and norma continuously tow insulating p this overlying cutaway centrally t When the protruding out lbar is pressed in one d is indirect elect 44 swings back strip 58 and wh the other direction, the yomakes contact bar 60 which is in tion with the contact 28.

The spring toggle swit when the yo position.

carries slidably ards the cross strip 31 58 is inserted in the plug, 3.The combinationwith an electrically tho bars Ligand and being heatedfiat iron, of a member conveniently o receive the yoke. l

or end of the trip grasped and moved towards the handle in the yokewhich the gripping of the handle, means holding l contact with the barand strikes the insulating on the trip bai is moved in heating circuitof the iron upon the member ke swings over and with the ntumod ond 59 ofa automatically locking the latter member in direct electrical connecltsof course acts to make the operate posi ke is swung jus tively andquickly t past dead central h b perature. 4 tf hrlltohanl 4. Thecombination with an electrically heated flat iron, of a 4switch carriedbythe As before state actuated by the adjacent e when the latch is downas shown reak the iiow of current to f the iron and when said switchbeing normally in an open posito close the circuit through and effectthe heating of the by the iron handle and adapted to be pressedarticular type of switch nvention is an electrically the switch closedand upon the iron being 11y open Circuit. swung to an up ended restedposition butt pring pressed l he iron handle perature of the viron forreleasing sai tions with the' ing means upon the heat of the iron reac,l evpressing 0f the ing a predetermined temperature.

andle to close the switch 5. The combination' with` an electrically ellatch to open the heated ilat iron, o f a switch carried by the evlatch spring,' iro'n and controlling the ironA heating cirg the latchcuit, said switch being normally in an open. n of position, a springpressed latch pivotally.

the action of -th d means for lockin nt in the closed positio the ironbeing swung carried by theironhandle andadapted to be butt down andmeans pressed towards the handle against the actemperature of the tionof the` spring by the hand gripping the atter locking means handle,operating connections between ther temperatu're being latch and theswitch arranged to close the bars are supplied with out i 2. Thecombination with an electrically 5l and 52 which have their heated flatiron, of a normally open circuit li suitable openings controlling switchtherefor, a spring pressed ates 45V and 46 and latch pivotally carriedby the iron handle s for the ends of a and having operating connectionswith thev a spindle 54 switch and arranged in the pressing 'of the orkedend 55. The forks 55 span latch towards the handle to close the switchthe inner end and in the release of the latch to open the trip barprotruding switch under theaction of the latch spring, a suitableopening pro gravity operated means for locking the latch d having theSides thereagainst movement in the closed position of ng lugs 31 whichenter the switch and upon the iron being.swung ovided in the Spaninto aresting position butt down and a spring 57 is passed thermostat actuatedby the heat of the iron 54 and engages the yoke and arranged to releasethe locking means lly presses the foi-ks aforesaid upon the heat of theiron reaching An a predetermined temperature.

located, in respect to the iron handle to be said member normally in aposition away from the handle, means closing the electrical beingpressed towards the handle, means down and tliermostatically operatedmeans .iron and controlling the iron heating circuit, tion, a springpressed latch pivotally carried towards the handle against the action ofthe med ini-.0 a detailed de- Spring by the hand grlpplng the handle,0p-

' erating connections between the latch and the it to bo understood thatswitch arranged to close the switch in the ch can be o erated e latchtopmako and to open the switch under the pressure of the ntaining theelement will latch spring upon the release of the latch, means forautomatically locking the latch' by pressing of the latch towards thehandle and against movement in its pressed position with down and meansactuated by the risin ltei# oc switch in the pressing of the latchtowards for releasing the locking means upon the heatl of the ironreaching a predetermined temlill the handle and to open the switch underthe pressure ofthe latch spring upon the release of the latch, gravityoperated means forlocking the latch in its pressed position with theswitch closed upon the iron being turned to an up ended rested positionbutt down and a thermostat operating under the increasing temperature ofthe .iron in such latter position to release said locking means upon theheat of the iron reaching a predetermined temperature.

6. The combination with an electrically \heated flat iron, of a switchcarried by the iron and controlling the iron heating circuit,

said switch being normally in an open position, a spring pressed latchpivotally carried by the iron handle vand'adapted to be pressed towardsthe handle against the action of the spring by the hand gripping thehandle, op-

erating connections between the latch and the switch arranged to closethe switch in the pressing of the latch towards the handle and to openthe switch under the pressure of the latch sprin upon the release of thelatch, a weighted ever pivotally carried by the iron and provided with alocking pin and arranged in theswnging of the iron to a rested position,butt down, to effect, under the action of gravity, the locking of thelatch in its pressed position, b the pin and-a thermostat associatedwith t e iron and the lever and adapted upon the heat of the ironreaching a predetermined temperature to actuate the lever and withdrawthe lockingpin.

7. In an electrically heated flat iron, the combination with a springpressed circuit controllin member arranged to' be vmoved towards t eiron handle in the gripping of the handle by the hand and to closethrough 40 such movement the heating circuit of the iron, of meansoperatin automatically to lock the aforesaid mem er against movement inits hand pressed position upon the iron bein brought to a rested upended .posi- 46 tion butt own and means actuated by the risingtemperature of the'iron for releasing said locking means .upon the heatof the iron reachingl a predetermined temperature.

8. In an electrically heated iiat iron, the

50 combination with a spring ressed circuit controllin member arrange tobe moved towards t e iron handle in th'e gripping of the handle by thehand and to close through such movement the heatin circuit4 of the 66iron, of a vity actuate lever pivotally carried by e iron and operatingu n the iron bein brought to an up end rested position utt down, to lockthe 'member against movement in its hand pressed posil0 tion and athermostat associated with the iron and the lever and adapted to movethe lever and unlock the member upon the heat of the iron reac apredetermined temperature.

' Signed at inni this 6th day of June, 1929. WAe ER E. BELCHER.

